It’s been almost two weeks since I returned from South Africa and only in the last few days have I really felt like I’m finally home, rested, and able to think about “what I brought back” from the trip (and I’m not talking about all the shopping I did!)

Although I learned so much that I couldn’t begin to list it all here, there is one learning point that has resonated strongly with me in the days since I returned.  As Americans, we all need to find more ways to expose ourselves to the world around us.  I was struck in South Africa by how little we really know about cultures outside of our own.  While it’s ‘easier’ to live within the confines of our own reality, there is much to be learned by viewing the world through the perspective of another culture. South Africa alone has 11 official languages, but I’m not sure I could have named 11 languages prior to this trip!  (update:  I just tried. . . I was able to name 25 before it started getting really hard.  How did you do? Yeah – not as easy as you thought, is it?)  Whether traveling to another side of the world or just across town, we as educators need to challenge ourselves and our students to learn as much as we can about the cultures, traditions and beliefs of people different from ourselves.  It’s from this exchange of ideas that we will learn and grow as a society and that our students and children will become informed, accepting and productive citizens of the world. 

We constantly hear how much “smaller” the world has become through technology – but have we REALLY taken advantage of that in our schools?  If the world is so small – why aren’t we hosting video chats or online discussions about Current Events with students in schools outside this country – or even outside your town?  How about an International News Podcast created by a team of students from around the world?  Imagine the power of hosting a classroom discussion between students in Iraq and the United States.   By opening ourselves to other cultures, we allow students to overcome fears, dispel myths and eliminate ignorance and build understanding, compassion and respect for their peers. If the world IS so small now – we should be challenging our students to touch all corners of it and I challenge all of you to do so in your classrooms this year.  It will change your perspective of everything you thought you once knew and everything your students are about to learn.     

Thanks again to Discovery. the team at LifeWorks, and the Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership for providing me this once in a lifetime experience -- it was truly life changing:)

This is Tuesday, August 1st and we were treated to a visit to a middle school in Soweto.  We were greeted by a very accommodating, gracious staff that made us feel very special and very welcome.  We observed two teachers from their school teaching a lesson on mathmetics and language.  These lessons were very well received by the approximately 45-55 students in their class.  The teachers taught as well as interracted with the students in a most effective manner.  I was very impressed by the teachers and by the students. The students were not only well behaved, but were informed on their subject.  After our observations we were allowed to address multiple classes on topics that involved our communities and classrooms at home.  The children were charming!  I totally enjoyed the interaction
between myself and the children.  They asked very insiteful questions.  I learned as much from them as they learned from me.

On July 30th we went to the Rosebank Rooftop Market which is held every Sunday. It was an absolutely perfect day and the smells of the food booths wafted through the air.It was lots of fun to see the ethnic products that the sellers had on display. We haggled over prices and came away with some very interesting treasures. There were tapestries, stitcheries, wooden carvings, weavings, pots, animals...well, you get the picture!; Some of us bought a few things and then some of us saw many excellent bargains. This venture into the culture of Johannesburg was our first walk-about after arriving on the airplane and I must say I thought it was an indication of things to come.

Just a reminder, following the trip virtually is only half the experience.  The other half is participating yourself.  By leaving comments, you can share your thoughts, ideas and even questions for others.  Your comments become a part of the experience for future visitors.

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We look forward to hearing from you! 

THIS POST IS FROM LORI MILLER:

There are 11 official languages in South Africa.  This makes for a very diverse society in which cultures mix freely – it’s not uncommon to hear multiple languages used in the same conversation.  I’ve been trying to catch as much South African television as I can between outings, and the day of our arrival I watched a soccer match that was announced seamlessly in English, Zulu, and French!  This was not a matter of “translating”, just each announcer adding comments as needed.

We visited Lisedi Cultural Village on Wednesday, and while it was definitely geared toward visitors it offered a wealth of knowledge on some of the backgrounds that merged to form South Africa.  The village displays reconstructed living quarters and villages of the Zulu, Xhosa, Lesotho, and Ndebele sects among others and the designs are ingenious in their use of the materials available.

Zulu homes have very low entries, both to deter enemies and so that those entering must bow in respect; their food is kept in miniature raised huts to prevent animal an invasion.  The Xhosa dwellings are made of 9” thick walls of cow dung that create a comfortable interior that is around 20 degrees cooler than the outside air – it also uses a high roof and cross ventilation to regulate temperature when building an interior fire. They always enter the home with women on the right and men on the left because when enemies enter they will encounter the men first, and men give their lives to protect the women – chivalry lives!  (Xhosa is also Nelson Mandela’s heritage.)  The Ndebele exteriors are covered in geometric patterns and are instantly recognizable…the interieors are just as gorgeous with every fixture carefully decorated in beautiful patterns.

Earlier in the week we attended a cultures class at Tshwaragano Primary School.  Discovery Channel has provided TVs, VCRs, a programming library specifically designed for students here, and teacher training on how to use video to make lessons more effective.  In this specific case, the video screened for the lesson was not one provided by us but the same teaching methods were applied including repetition, class discussion, and breaking into smaller groups for creative analysis and later, class presentation.

The series of performances shown were derived from many of the students’ backgrounds – we watched dances and musical performances from Xhosa, Zulu, Pedi, Gospel, Gumboots, Ndebele, and classical African origins.  The students were asked to determine which performances were from which heritage and analyzed them according to costumes, props, instruments used, movement, pace, rhythms and tapping.  It’s clear that they’re all well-versed in the specifics of each and the traditions of their own families and those of their neighbors are ingrained in them from birth.

We were lucky enough to receive live demonstrations of dance and music from several groups of students within the school to reinforce what was just discussed!  It was clear from the dozens of faces pressed against the window outside the classroom that these kids enjoy each other’s talents and customs and they will continue to thrive.